'95 Honda Accord, Cannot Remove Key From Ignition

Lots of times when I turn the car off I cannot remove the key from the
ignition. I have to fiddle with it and keep trying to get it out. I
have only had this car this winter and have read some things that
point it to a cold weather problem but there was not real solution. My
gear shifter also when it's cold sometimes will lock and I cannot
shift it to drive etc.....until it warms.....today I reefed a little
to hard on the shifter and no it doesn't lock at all not even when car
off and parked.....I aven't been able to get the key out since...any
idea's? Thanks.

 

I repost this whenever necessary. The update is that my friend kept
the car for several years after this repair and had no further
problems. Her car is a 90 Accord but there is a chance the same part
number would work on your car. If you have the symptoms (below) I
guarantee that this is your problem. Info on prices and source is out
of date.

(begin repost)

My friend purchased a (transmission) console switch from
www.hparts.com . The part is Honda# 35700-SM4-A91 hpart# 327830 and
the price was $31.63 plus $5.62 S&H. She had a very experienced
amateur install it. He looked at the manual briefly then went out and
installed it in under 20 minutes. It should be pretty straight forward
for anyone with just a little experience, only slightly tricky part is
to adjust it (if necessary) so that the indicator lights match the
shift lever position.

Results: In three days of use at temperatures down to -3 F she has
not had any trouble. Previously the car would always experience the
syndrome until it had been warmed up for at least 20 minutes on even a
moderately cold day.

To recap the symptoms:

- Vehicle is 1990+ Accord with AT (others may be affected also)
- Problem is strongly linked to cold temperatures.
- Key cannot be removed after shifting into P
- Dash indicator light does not indicate "P" even though transmission
lever is positively in P
- Car cannot be shifted out of P after this has happened
- Problem solves itself when the "P" indicator lights which occurs
after a period of time related to the interior temperature of the car.

 

Ya, try buying a car that isn't as old as the warts on your wife's ass
and get a standard, only twats drive automatics.

 

I also have a 95 Accord and there is a slot on top of the shifter
console that you can stick a key in and push down, that, unlocks the
shifter.

Doesn't have to be a key, just something small enough to fit in the
slot and push down on a spring-loaded button.

You DON'T have to push very far or hard to unlock the shifter.

I always thought this to be a theft issue, but i guess it does have a
purpose.

BTW, my Accord was stolen in 2002. Now everytime I park it, it gets
"The Club"!

 

Is it an original honda key?

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but, isn't there a key interlock that prevents it's
removal if the car's still not in park? SOunds to me like you banged up the
shifter to the point where the "key removal" interlock no worky any more.
At least on the civic, it looks like pulling the battery terminal might let
you get the key loose. The key interlock circuit looks like it powered
directly from the battery through a couple fuses. Pity, I don't have an
accord manual. Wonder if I can find one on the intarweb?

 

Have you tried inserting something (another key?) into the emergency shift
lock release slot next tot he shifter? That might release it.

Assuming you have a console mounted shifter (not on the steering column),
check that the shift lock button (the button you (used to) push to get it
out of park is popping all the way out when you put it in park. If not, try
wiggling it or pushing it to try to get it to pop out.

If all else fails, you will have to remove the cover around the shifter and
see what is going on with the lock mechanism. Usually its problem is the
"Pepsi syndrome" - sticky from spilled drink. If that's the problem, you
might be able to free it up with WD-40. Don't use silicon spray, as that
will make it more sticky.

 

You know, if he simply energizes the interlock with a couple jumper wires I
imagine he could get the key out too. Maybe just wire around the interlock
so the key's never locked in. I never liked those nanny features anyway.
I'll bet the Japanese in Japan aren't nannied to death like we pussies are
in the states. Been meaning to disable my clutch interlock for awhile
now...